The Victor

Newton's Third Law of Motion

2007-12-07T21:54:00.000-08:00

The Big Six

2007-06-20T14:53:00.000-07:00

When first reading this article the idea of a student writing a research paper came to mind. But as I got further into the piece I realized that these six steps are steps in preparation for a teacher's lesson. It is true that a student can also use these same steps and they should, but if a teacher wants to make the difference it is vital that they follow these steps. For the first step a teacher needs to know what needs to be accomplished followed by what is going to be used. Is a video sufficient or is some other form of motivation required to catch the attention of the students. Although the internet is a very good source, just like the article said, it can be irrelevant from case to case. Some things on line would definitely teach the main idea, but sometimes it doesn't help with a certain age of student or certain culture or whatever. From there a teacher needs to put all the information together that was found and the hard part is figuring out if this information will do the job. If a teacher keeps on top of things this won't be a difficult step at all.
In conclusion, if you are to teach the students to be able to solve problems that you give them, it is important that you know how these steps work so you can teach them how to follow them.

Televison goes to School #2

2007-06-13T10:35:00.000-07:00

How video can be used to promote student achievement is explained very well in this article. First of all, I agree totally with the article when it mentions that video is not intended to teach the students, rather it is to elaborate on difficult content. In 9th grade I had an English teacher that put on a movie and went behind this wall of shelves that went up to the ceiling. This wasn't just on occasion, but for the majority of the year. Now as a student I didn't mind, but I don't remember of learning anything in that class. For students to actually learn the teacher holds a lot of the responsibility.
If video is used as a review of a lesson or even a tool to get the students interest on a particular subject. But having said this, just like in the article, it is very important to add other things rather than video alone. The teacher remains to be the teacher; small discussions should follow a video.
One other point it mentions that I think is important in a lot of cases is to stop the video to clear up any misunderstandings, especially on difficult topics.
Just like it said, "there is no one 'right' way to use educational television in school." This goes along with any and all teaching tools, it all depends on the teachers style, the students ability of learning, and the difficulty level of topic etc.

Electricity - 5th grade science - Standard 4 - Objective 1

2007-06-13T09:31:00.001-07:00

Pretty Funny!

2007-06-13T09:25:00.001-07:00

time #1

2007-06-11T10:17:00.005-07:00

Gabcast! time #1

Harris Post

2007-06-10T15:51:00.000-07:00

Just like all other methods of teaching, internet-supported classroom is another great tool for todays teachers. But just like any other tool used to help engage students, they can be over used and abused. I think a wide veriety of teaching tools is an ideal way to teach a class. At the same time I also think some of the topics mentioned in this article are more for the social life of students. I think the internet is really good, but it can bring about a negative form as well. It is very important that this is pre-planned just like any other lesson.

Kauchak Reading Post

2007-05-30T09:13:00.000-07:00

Assessing Current Understanding:

To see where the understanding of the students are I feel it necessary to first explain the purpose of an introductory test, assessment, quiz or whatever you want to call it. Once the assessment is given, using electronic testing, results can be obtained within a few minutes. I think without prompt results this subject will get away from the students and the purpose is defeated. Once the test is graded it is important not only to go over what the students don't understand, but complement on their understanding of the ideas or topics they do understand. It is no fun just to be told "you were wrong", but to have a feeling of understanding. This forms a good beginning of class.

Increasing Learner Motivation

In the science area, since that is my interest in teaching, by having each student get on line and go to certain sites containing java applets. A java applet allows someone to see how something works. Once they have spent a little time playing with it themselves they know already what the lesson is about and it helps them to be more motivated to learn that particular topic and they feel more confident in the topic. From experience in learning, it is a lot easier and more effective to learn something you are familiar with.

Guiding New Learning

After introducing the topic through student involvement and the use of a power point presentation. By having only key-words in the presentation allows student questioning or even more student involvement. A class should be student-centered. Just like in the beginning of this reading how Jose went around asking each student some of their own observations. And when the desired answer wasn't given it was guided. All of this is done after the students have seen or been involved themselves.

Reiser Reading "TEAMS"

2007-05-24T15:33:00.000-07:00

Viewing the link Integrated Final Projects, relate to the project TEAMS by linking one subject topic to all areas of learning such as: Science, Math, Language Arts, History, etc. In other words teaching all areas at the same time or tying every subject together. In order to teach in this manner it is necessary for the teacher to do more preparation for each lesson than if he/she were to only teach one single subject. Also during class it seams that it would be mostly baby sitting so to say. Just as mentioned by Bereiter in Roblyer's reading Roblyer: Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching, 2nd ed., Chapter 3, all students learn in different ways. I feel that the project TEAMS has its place, but for only certain students. I myself would not like this format of learning. If it was used as a class of students rather than the entire school, I think it would be great. But don't make me judge which students this will work for and not work for.

Rolblyer Post

2007-05-23T12:03:00.000-07:00

Bereiter states the metaphor of the mirrors that extends to infinity. Which means that there are many different ways for students to learn. He says in order to escape this hall of mirrors we need a more expanded learning theory than those currently available.
In the debate of direct instruction and constructivist this idea is present. I think that both are necessary because without direct instruction the learning process will be longer than if tried by just allowing students to learn by use of technology alone. And on the other hand by teaching only by this method tends to make the students desire for learning leave. I think the real answer to this debate is "moderation in all things", a quote by Terence, Andria. And this agrees with the next metaphor of the blind men trying to describe an elephant. Each are correct, but only describing a different problem. Therefore I agree fully with Bereiter's view.

Teaching_Ya!

2007-05-21T11:09:00.000-07:00

I believe it all began when I was in about 4th grade. I really wanted to be a math teacher and I never lost that desire. Even though my major is physics and not math I am planning to teach in mathematics as well. The reason I chose physics is because it is applied mathematics and besides it is super interesting. Most people ask me, "WHY PHYSICS!", but if you ask your self if it is interesting, I don't know of anyone who says that physics is boring, just hard. Forgive my run-on sentences, but this is why I did not choose to be an English Teacher.